Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-08-11

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him this offer: I'll give him check
for Eos, and send him back the bill of
sale in consideration of his Academy
picture the big one, mind, mean
becoming my property"
"The picture has been valued at
ESQ.," put in Mrs. Megilp, timidly.
"Oh, has itP By you and Mr.. Me-
Clip, suppose! Well, / amt going
to give that. What l have offered is
as good as f325-an uncommonly high
price, let me tell you, ma'am, for
picture by an unknown artist"
Every one says that my husband is
one of the rising artists of the day."
exclaimed Mrs. Megilp, firing up.
"Oh, they all are" retorted Mr.
Zerubbabel, rising. "Still, you had
better think over my offer, and tell
Mr.. Megilp what I have said. I'll call
round in day or two to see the pict-
ure, when you can let me have def
mite answer"
And Mr.. Zerubbabel took up his hat
and bowed and grinned himself out,
leaving the indignant little woman to
think over matters in general, and the
matter of the bill of sale in particular.
When Michael Angelo came in, she
told him of the jews visit and the
proposition he had made.
"He has changed his mind pretty
quickly" remarked Megilp. This
morning he would have nothing to say
to my proposal. Besides f25 is very
little to get in hard cash, so | shall
certainly wait for few days before l
decide. Carper promised to speak .
good word for me to dealer he
knows"
A day or two afterwards Mr.. Abram
Levi presented himself at Megilp's
studio, and found the artist putting a
few final touches to "Chloe Counting
Her Chickens" He surveyed the
picture attentively for some minutes,
and then, turning to Michael Angelo,
he blandly offered him E100 for it.
"Why, I've had the offer of as good
as f325 for it already" exclaimed the
artist, Indignantly.
MIR. Levi pricked up his ears.
"Hullo! somebody has got the start
of me-" he thought, ruefully. Who
the deuce can it bep"
"Well, l don't mind giving you ESQ
for it-and perhaps you've something
else it may suit me to buy" he said,
with glance round the studio.
whats thisP" he added, going up
to large picture, very handsomely
framed, but turned with face to the
wall.
ga picture l sent in to Burling-
ton House last year, but it wasn't ac-
cepted," stammered Michael Angelo.
Humph! don't wonder. What S
the name of itP" went on the dealer,
reading the legend inscribed on the
frame. Margaret Mending her
Stockings" "No, that won't suit
me; it's big, ugly thing, and shock
ingly raw. You've done better work
since -"
"All of which is sold," interrupted
Megilp, in huffed tone, Except this
little thing-'Sour Grapes.
But again the dealer shook his head,
and took his stand before the easel on
which stood "Chloe."
"Tll give you f3OO for it," he said
at last.
Michael Angelo hesitated. He would
rather Levi had the picture than
Zerubbabel; but it seemed hard thai
he should make no present profit Out
of this-his best work. Every penny
of the $500 would be swallowed up il
getting clear of that unfortunate bill
of sale!
"Give me week to think it over, ,
he said at last, turning abruptly
round to the dealer.
In doing so, he caught his foot il
the support of the easel, and tn,
picture fell heavily to the ground.
Good Heavens, what have yol
done?" cried Mr.. Levi Poor Michae
Angelo was too frightened to speak
Together they picked up the picture
Fortunately, the canvass was not dam
aged, but a large corner of the fran,
was Clipped of.
That's soon remedied," said Mr.
Levi. "A new frame won't cos
much. But, Mr.. Megilp, hope you'll
think over my offer; it may lead t.
further business, you know" h
added, amiably. And he left the art
list standing, with rather a rueful air
before his cherished picture.
"What has happened, AngyP
: heard something fall. What has Mr.
;, Levi offered your Oh. what PITY
the beautiful Frame" said Mrs. Meg
= lip, busting into the studio. But with
out waiting for answers to her ques
/, tons, she went on; 1--WE just had
letter from Aunt Jane, and she want
us to spend from Saturday to Monda
with her. Do let me accept, dear
You look quite pale from overwork
and / so long for sight of the coun
, try. Do let's get away from thes
, money-lenders and people, and hay
holiday. I'm sure we both want it.
Levi has offered me f3O0for Chloe,
. began Megilp, gravely.
"Why, that's worse than Mr.. Zerut
babel but about Aunt James invita-
7 ton, Angy. May accept"
Megilp never could refuse his VIII
any thing. She had evidently set he
I, heart upon the visit, so, though h
didn't like leaving town at such
= critical moment, he let her have he
own way; and the note accepting Aun
James invitation was written and poste
4 forthwith.
. Having called at the picture-framer'
7 and ordered new frame for "Chloe,
r and left the key of the studio wit